Victor Ivan comes from the extreme left-wing of the JVP. He lost one hand in his attempt to make a crude bomb. Some journalists refer to him as the "one-armed bandit". In his book 'Chaura Rajina' Victor Ivan implicates President Chandrika Kumaratunga in the murders of Kumar Ponnambalam, Ashroff the Muslim leader, Rohana Kumara and the arson attack on the residence of actress Anoja Weerasinghe.

@ AsianTribune / 20SEP2006

Colombo, 20 September, (Asiantribune.com): Victor Ivan, editor of 'Ravaya', a left-wing Sinhala weekly, launched a book in Colombo on Monday branding his former political ally, President Chandrika Kumaratunga, as the 'Chaura Rajina', Queen of Thieves.

The author levels some highly damaging allegations against the former President. It also implicates her in the murders of Kumar Ponnambalam, Ashroff the Muslim leader who was killed in a helicopter crash, Rohana Kumara and the arson attack on the residence of actress Anoja Weerasinghe.

Political commentators agree that this is going to be the hottest book on sale for some time. Its controversial contents are bound to damage the image of Chandrika Kumaratunga who still has political ambitions of staging a comeback. Both were left-wing allies in opposing the right-wing UNP. Ivan comes from the extreme left-wing of the JVP. He lost one hand in his attempt to make a crude bomb. Some journalists refer to him as the "one-armed bandit".

The book alleges that certain activities that took place during the Chandrika Kumaratunga’s regime were perpetrated by a close-knit presidential Mafia established with her full knowledge.

When Ivan fell out with Kumaratunga he accused her of attempting to buy his favor by offering Rs, 500,000.00. According to Ivan, she had taken him to her room, opened the cupboard and offered the money. Ivan says that he turned it down.

He also alleges that she staged the bomb explosion at the final election rally of her second presidential election campaign at the Colombo Municipal Grounds to win over public sympathy. This incident in which she lost sight of one of the eyes was her own conspiracy, says Ivan. He claims that the DNA testing had proved that the suicide bomber was not the identified woman.

Ivan also refers to her sex life linking her romantically to some businessmen and actors. Her husband, Vijay Kumaratunga was an actor. Later when she became President she was close to another popular actor younger than her. He crossed over from the UNP to be her media minder. His movements in and out of her presidential residence raised many eyebrows and constant gossip.

However, according to sources close to the former President, to the author of 'Chaura Rajina' and the former President will initiate legal action seeking a ban on the book.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Chandrika Kumaratunga has been appointed as South Asian Director General of United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF).